Device to Covering and Transporting a Portable Computer

ABSTRACT

A device for covering and transporting a portable computer comprises lower ( 4 ) and top ( 6 ) boards which cover the computer external surfaces, are shaped in the form of a parallelepiped and pivotable about an edge ( 8 ) provided with at least one opening ( 10 ) for accessing to connections and ports arranged on the computer rear face. The lower board ( 4 ) and/or the top board ( 6 ) are provided with slide grooves ( 40 ) in which a sliding belt ( 42 ) in the form of a closed loop is introduced. Said slide grooves enable the sliding belt to be slidingly adjusted at a desired height position in such a way that it makes it possible to access to ports (USB, RJ45) and to readers (DVD, CD, diskettes).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a device to cover and transport a portable computer wherein the device comprises a lower flap and an upper flap covering the outside faces of the computer with a parallelepipedal shape articulated around an edge comprising at least one opening permitting access to the connections and ports located at the rear of the computer.

The prior art discloses (Patent Abstract of Japan, vol. 2000, no 11) a device of this type. This document describes a bag for transporting a portable computer. However, the lateral sides, as well as the front side of the computer are not accessible, such that the computer has to be removed in order to access the various sockets on its sides. Furthermore, the computer is not held inside the transport bag and does not feature any insertable handles.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a device to cover and transport a portable computer which overcomes these disadvantages. These purposes are achieved, in compliance with the invention, by the fact that the lower flap and/or the upper flap comprise slide grooves into which a sliding attachment strap closed into a loop is inserted, wherein said slide grooves permit the adjustment to the correct height of the position of the strap, in order to leave free access to the ports (USB, RJ45) and drives (DVD, CD, disc) of the portable computer and to access all of the keys of the keyboard and the mouse, according to their various positions according to the models.

The said slide grooves are preferably rectilinear and parallel to one another.

The sliding strap advantageously comprises an extendable part which permits a portable computer to be accommodated, by adapting to its format. In another variant, it could be entirely extendable.

Advantageously, the sliding strap is sufficiently thin to allow the user to close the portable computer while keeping the sliding strap in the same position as when the portable computer is in use.

Thanks to these characteristics, the device of the invention permits:

-   -   a bag or cover to be attached to all types of portable computer         according to the various forms, designs, dimensions and         positions of the keyboard and various drives (disc, CD or DVD);     -   while maintaining the attachment of the portable computer, to         access all of the ports (USB, power, RJ45, printer, Ethernet         board and others) as well as the various drives (disc, CD or         DVD) by adjusting the position of the sliding strap, as well as         to access all of the keys of the keyboard and mouse according to         their various positions according to the models;     -   to conserve the cover permanently attached to the portable         computer regardless of whether the user wishes to work on the         computer or close it without being obliged to modify the         attachment manually.

Preferably, the parallelepipedal flaps are flat in shape so as to permit free access to the sides of the computer, whether it is open or closed.

Thanks to this characteristic, the invention has many additional advantages:

-   -   it permits the portable computer to be protected from scratches         and other damage that may occur to the outside surface;     -   it facilitates use or transport of the portable computer by         avoiding the insertion in a carrying case as the cover remains         attached to the portable computer for normal use as for         transport, thus allowing it to be transported or used simply by         opening or closing it;     -   it provides more ergonomic transport of the portable computer as         the cover is thinner, lighter and more attractive;     -   it permits access to all of the ports (USB, power, RJ45,         printer, Ethernet board and others) as well as the various         drives (disc, CD or DVD) of the portable computer at all times         by conserving the transport cover on the portable computer.

Preferably, the flaps are made up of several layers, wherein one of these layers has a recess into which handles may be inserted.

Preferably, the sliding strap is closed into a loop which reveals the non extendable part of the strap and conceals the extendable part of the strap, which passes through the channel formed between the layers.

Advantageously, the handles have end pieces that are wider than the orifices of the recesses into which the handles are inserted in order to maintain the handles attached to the flaps.

Advantageously once again, the upper flap has on its external corners straps that can hold the thickness of the computer and which are sufficiently thin that they allow the computer to be closed.

Advantageously once again and in one specific embodiment of the invention, the handle is of the same thickness as the flaps so that the flaps maintain their flat appearance and especially so that the computer resting on the lower flap remains stable.

Advantageously, springs are fitted to solicit the handles in the open position. A clip allows them to be held in the closed position. To remove the handles, pressure is simply exerted on them in order to release the clip. The handles thus come out under the pressure of the springs.

In one specific embodiment of the invention, the device comprises, at the corner formed by the flaps and on their outside face, a reinforcing and protective zone comprising pads which allow the cover to be stood in the vertical position.

Advantageously, the device to cover and transport a portable computer comprises an edge featuring at least one opening permitting access to the connections and ports at the rear of the computer.

In one specific embodiment of the invention, the lower flaps comprises a ventilation zone 22 intended to improve the ventilation of the computer by allowing air to pass to cool its processor. This ventilation zone, by way of non restrictive example, is formed by a cut-out in the surface of the lower flaps covered by a fine protective mesh 24. Air inlet channels are advantageously provided on the lower flap face.

For this purpose and in one specific embodiment of the invention, all of the layers are perforated according to the form and position of the ventilation zone. The layers have the specific feature of being partially perforated (mesh or several holes) in this same zone.

In one specific embodiment of the invention, the lower flap or the upper flap comprises on its surface an attachment system which permits efficient attachment of the portable computer inside the cover and transport device and to keep the flaps closed.

By way of non restrictive example, this attachment system comprises a strap onto which a press stud is fitted. On the opposite flap, and at the same height on this flap, there is a also a press stud to be paired with the press stud or Velcro or other means (magnet, etc.) and thus to close the attachment. This strap comprises a part that is incorporated into the lining of the flap on which it is located so that it remains discreet when the cover and transport device is in the open position and the computer is in the open working position.

This strap is also sliding so that the outside part of the strap may extend to allow the press studs to be fastened to close the cover and transport device.

Advantageously, the strap also comprises at the end of its part located inside the lining a wider shape with respect to the shape of the strap so as to keep the strap attached inside the lining of the flap.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, made in reference to the appended drawings. In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a device to cover and transport a portable computer in compliance with the invention;

FIG. 1 a is a detailed view of the sliding strap;

FIG. 2 is a three quarter rear view of the cover and transport device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cover and transport device of the invention.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the device to cover and transport a portable computer which is designated as an assembly by the general reference 2, comprises a lower flap 4 and an upper flap 6. The lower flap 4 is designed to cover the lower face of the computer, whereas the upper flap 6 is designed to cover the upper face of the computer (not shown). The lower face 4 and the upper face 6 are connected to one another by means of an edge 8 that is rounded or substantially flat in shape. The edge comprises at least one partial or complete opening 10 of the zone (two openings in the example shown) and/or one or more zip or Velcro fasteners (not shown). By way of non restrictive example, the openings 10 are rectangular. They permit access to the connections and ports at the rear of the computer.

The parallelepipedal flaps 4 and 6 are flat so as to permit free access to the shorter sides 12 and to the large side 14 of the portable computer.

The upper parallelepipedal flap 6 comprises, in the example shown, at these external corners attachment straps 16 which can contain the thickness of a portable computer and sufficiently thin to allow the portable computer to be closed without having to move these attachments. In one variant of the embodiment, the lower parallelepipedal flap 4 may also comprise such straps at its external corners.

The sliding strap 3 of the part located at the bottom of the upper flap is designed to avoid the cover from gaping open by attaching it to the computer.

The sliding function is designed to adjust the strap so that it is not positioned on the bottom of the screen and so that consequently it does not impair the visibility of the screen for the user.

The cover and transport device also comprises a reinforcing and protective zone, such that rubber pads located on the edge 8 and on the outside permit the cover and transport device to be stood in the vertical position.

The lower 4 and upper 6 flaps respectively comprise on their upper part a sliding handle 36 so that the external part of the handle 36 may be extended and make it easier to grip to transport the portable computer. The handle 36 may thus be retracted in order to remain discreet and maintain an attractive appearance for the cover and transport device by fitting into the lining of the flap. In FIG. 1, the handle is shown in its retracted position on the lower flap 4 and in the extended position on the upper flap 6. Furthermore, as may be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower flap 4, by way of non restrictive example, comprises two rectilinear and parallel slide grooves 40. A sliding attachment strap 42 (see FIG. 1 a) that can hold the thickness of a portable computer slides in the two slide grooves 40. The sliding strap 42 is closed into a loop. Consequently, part of the sliding strap 42 appears above the lower flap 4 and part of the sliding strap 42 is situated underneath the same lower flap 4. The strap 42 comprises an extendable part 44 permitting the sliding strap to extend and to adapt to the shape and size of the computer that it is to hold.

As may be seen from the figures, the two slide grooves 40 substantially extend along the entire height of the lower flap 4, which allows the strap to be adjusted to a position in which it does not prevent access to any of the ports or connections of the computer. Preferably, the strap is thin enough to allow the user to close the portable computer while conserving the strap in the same position as when the portable computer is in use.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the various layers forming the cover and transport device of the invention. As may be seen in this figure, the device is composed of six different layers, which is to say respectively an outer layer of leather 46 and an inner layer of leather 48, a thin plate layer in which the straps 50 pass, two reinforcing plate layers 52 separated by a flexible reinforcement 54 forming an anti-gaping articulation. Furthermore, a thin lower protective plate layer is interposed between the two reinforcing plate layers 52 and the outer layer of leather 46, while a thin upper protective plate layer is interposed between the thin plate layer in which the straps 50 pass and the two reinforcing plate layers 52. As may be seen, each of the handles 36 has two arms 60 that terminate in an end piece 62 that is wider than the arms. The arms 60 are inserted into recesses 64 in which they can slide so as to retract or extend the handle 36. The recesses 64 have a part with a narrower section 66 in order to retain the end pieces 62 in the recesses 64. The function of the thin protective plate layers 56 and 58 is to avoid wear and deformation caused by the outward pressure of the handles when they are held by the outer layers covered with leather for example 46 and 48 when the handles are moved to retract or extend them. The function of the plate 58 is also to avoid wear or the tearing of the extendable part 44 when the handles are moved to retract or extend them. Furthermore, the handles are equipped with thin reinforcing strips, for example made of glass fibre 68 whose function is to reinforce the handles 36 to avoid the deformation caused by the weight of the computer when it is held by these handles 36. 

1-14. (canceled)
 15. Device to cover and transport a portable computer comprising a lower flap (4) and an upper flap (6) covering the outside faces of the computer articulated around an edge (8), characterised in that at least one of said flaps comprises at least one attachment strap that can contain the thickness of the computer and maintain one or both of said flaps permanently attached to the outside faces in order to, accompany the movements of the flaps when they are opened and/or closed.
 16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the attachment strap is a sliding strap, that may be partially or totally extendable.
 17. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the lower flap (4) and the upper flap (6) comprise slide grooves (40) into which the sliding attachment strap (42) is introduced, which may be closed into a loop so as to leave part of it part visible on the outside of the flap and part of it incorporated into said flap, so that it is not visible on the outside from the other side.
 18. Device according to claim 15 comprising a lower flap (4) and an upper flap (6) covering the outside faces of the computer articulated around an edge (8), characterized in that the lower flap (4) and the upper flap (6) comprise slide grooves (40) into which a sliding attachment strap (42) is inserted, wherein said slide grooves (40) may be rectilinear and parallel to one another in order to permit the adjustment to the correct height of the position of the strap, leaving free access to the various functions of the portable computer such as the screen, the ports, the keys of the keyboard and the mouse, according to and regardless of their various positions according to the models, and the sliding strap may be closed into a loop.
 19. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the edge (8) comprises at least one opening (10) permitting access to the connections and ports located at the rear of the computer.
 20. Device according to claim 15 comprising a lower flap (4) and an upper flap (6) covering the outside faces of the computer articulated around an edge (8), characterized in that said flaps are flat in shape so as to ensure the ventilation of the processor of the computer and to permit free access to the sides (12, 14) and the various functions of the computer regardless of whether it is in the open or closed position, and in that it comprises at least one opening (10) permitting access to the connections and ports located at the rear of the computer.
 21. Device according to claim 20, characterized in that the lower (4) and upper (6) flaps are flat in shape and comprise several layers, wherein certain of the layers may be cut out.
 22. Device according to claim 20, characterized in that the lower flap or the upper flap comprises an attachment system to hold the lower (4) and upper (6) flaps on the outside faces of the computer regardless of whether it is in the open or closed position.
 23. Device according to claim 20, characterized in that the lower flap or the upper flap comprises an attachment system and possibly a strap that is thin enough to allow the computer to be opened or closed without any need to move or touch said attachment system.
 24. Device according to claim 22, characterized in that the attachment system is as defined in any of the previous claims.
 25. Device according to claim 20, characterized in that the lower flap comprises at least one ventilation zone (22) or air inlet channels to allow air to pass and cool the processor of the computer.
 26. Device according to claim 25, characterized in that the ventilation zones or air inlet channels are formed by a cut-out in the surface of the lower flap.
 27. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises handles (36), wherein said handles may be flat in shape and possibly of the same thickness as the flaps so as to conserve the flat appearance of the flaps and the stability of the computer which rests on the lower flap (4).
 28. Device according to claim 27, characterized in that it comprises handles (36) made in the same section as the flaps so as to avoid having another external layer.
 29. Device according to claim 27, characterized in that one of the layers (52) has at least one recess (64) into which the handles (36) are inserted.
 30. Device according to claim 27, characterized in that the handles have end pieces (62) that are wider than the orifices (66) of the recesses into which the handles are inserted in order to maintain the handles attached to the flaps.
 31. Device according to claim 15, characterised in that it comprises a closure and attachment system that may be inserted into one of the layers of the flaps. 